Sectional boat



sEcTIoNAL BOAT Filed Feb. 8, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYSPatented Aug. 20, 1940 UNITED STATES PATE-NT oFFlcE 2,212,088Vslezc'rloNALr BOAT Joseph Tomassi, Knox, Application February 8, 1938,Serial No. 189,406

1 Claim' My invention relates to boats and includes among its objectsand advantages the provision of a sectional boat designed `to facilitatehandling and transportation thereof.

An object of my invention is to provide a boat made up of detachablesections with the sections so shaped as to be nestable one within theother to provide a compact arrangement for transportation purposes. v

Another object is to provide a boat made up of detachable sections inwhich novel means are employed for latching the sections into a unitarystructure.

Another object is to provide a sectional boat including means forpositively latching thesrections in connected relation and in which thelatch' means are provided with adjustability to compensate wear andvariation in structural parts incident to expansion, contraction, andthe like. H

A further objec-t is to provide a boat made up of light-weight materialand in which the parts are so designed as to sustain heavy loads andrough usage.

Another object is to provide a boat made up of detachable sections andin which the abutting sections dene partitions extending transverselyacross the boat, together with novel seats cooperable on said transversepartitions for supporting purposes. f

A further object is to provide a boat made up of detachable sectionstogether with seats hingedly connected with some of said sections landin which novel seat supporting means are associated with other of thesections.

A further object is to provide a light-weight boat of such constructionand proportions as to facilitate transportation and in which novelfloatmeans are incorporated for balancing the boat. The float means are sorelated to the boat as to be movable into longitudinal alignmenttherewith as when rowing, but means is included for holding the floatmeans in projecting relation with respect to the sides of the boat, thusincreasing the balancing characteristics of the oat means. The floatmeans are also designed for detachable connection with the boat and arenestable within one ofthe boat sections.

. In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a plan View of a boat embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view along the line 2--2 of Fig. 1; l

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view taken from the position indicated by line3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view of the `latch mechanism cooperable ontwo adjacent boat sections; I `r5V Fig. 6 is a view taken from theposition indicated by line `6--6` of Fig. 5 with certain parts brokenaway for the sake of clearness; Fig. 'lis a sectional View along theline 'I-l of Fig. 6; p i

` Fig. 8 is a view takenfrom the position indicated by line 8-8 of Fig.5;.. Fig. 9 is a detail View of a corner construction; Fig. 10 is adiagrammatic View showing the boat sections nested one Within the other;

Fig. 11` is a bottom plan view of the rear boat section showing `floatsattached thereto;

Fig. 12 is an end view of the structure of Fig. 11' with the boat.sections positionedvin an upright position; 1

Fig. 13 is a side View;

n Fig. 14 is a View taken `from the position indi- -cated by line I4V-I4of Fig. 13; i

Fig. 15 is an 'enlarged Vdetail view of one of thehinges with certain.vparts broken away for the sake of clearness;.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view along the line I6-I6 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 1,7 is a sectional view along the line II-I'I of Fig. 14;

Fig, 18 is a sectional view along the line I8I8 of Fig. 1 7; and

Fig. 19 is a view illustrating the boat sections in nested relation withthe floats nested within one of the sections. 35

In the embodiment selected to illustrate my invention, the boat Il'Icomprises sections I2, I4 and I 6 which have end to end abuttingrelation at I8 and 20 with the sections connected into a unitarystructure through the medium of latches 22. When unlatched, the sectionsmay be nested one within the other, as illustrated in Fig. 10, so as toprovide a compact arrangement of relatively small proportions, thusfacilitating transportation and packaging.

In Fig, 1, the sections I2, I4 and I6 are so shaped as to take thegeneral configuration of a conventional Yboat when arranged in end toend relation. Section I2 includes an end wall 24 and 50 side walls 26which vare arranged in converging relation with the forward ends nailedto the upright rail 28. Section I4 includes an end wall 30 and sidewalls 32, and the end wall 30 lies in pressure relation with the wall 24when the sections I2 and I4 are connected. Section vI4 also includes anendwall 34 which lies in pressure relation with the end wall 36 of thesection I6,

' which also includes side walls 38 and the rear end wall 40.

Apart from general configuration, the sections I2, I4 and I6 are ofsimilar construction. Referring to Fig. 4, which illustrates the sectionI4 in cross section, the side walls 32 comprise panels 42 of presswoodreinforced along. their upper edges by wood slats 44 "which may bescrewed or riveted to the panels. The lower edges of the panels 42 arenailed to rails 46 while the floor 48 also comprising presswood isnailed to the rails 46. Longitudinal slats 50 are screwed or riveted tothe bottom face of the floor 48. Slats 50 are spaced in parallelrelation. To the inner face of the floor 48 I screw a plurality ofspaced transverse slats 52 while upon the slats 52 I place parallelslats 54 which extendlongitudinally of the section. Slats 54 maybescrewed to the slats 52 ywhile the latter may be screwed to the fioor48andthe lslats50. Reinfcrcing' rails 56 are positioned on the inner faceof the' floor 48 adjacent thev end walls 30 and 34.I A rail56 isconnected r with the floor 48 in the-section I2 and its end wall 24,while in the section I6 I make use of two rails 56-anchored to'the'floor48 thereof and the end walls 36 and 40. All the rails may be nailed to-Atheir respective vioor 48 and the end walls associated therewith.VFloors 48 have .overlapping relation with the loweredges.v of their.respective end walls and are nailed thereto, which is also true oftheside panels 4.2. i, In making-.use of fpresswoodfI secure a lightweightboat which is particularly adapted to the needs of hunters in that its.jcollapsibility and light-weight facilitate. overland transportationfrom place to place. Because of the nesting feature of the sections,theboat may be .easily vcarried on anautomobile or truck, and in mostlcases the nested sections are ofrsuchkproportionsvas" to vbe receivablewithin the baggage compartment of .conventional automobiles.. v

YWhile the floor 4B of eachsection comprises frpresswood oflight-weight, thefslat .reinforcement strengthens the ioor =structuretosuch a degree .as to satisfy all. demands and .ordinary rough usage. Tothe side panels 24 -Iscrew or rivet. reinforcing slats 58 whichextendlongitudinally of the boat on its inner sidesmonly. l Four latch `units.22 areemployed, whichfunits .are located along the upper edges of theside walls of the boat at the juncture of the sections I2, I4 and I6..Means is alsovprovided for latching the `sections at their bottoms..Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, the boat sections I2 and I4 are indicated inpart pnly. Section I2 is provided with a ,metallic strap 60 which isInade'secure by screws "62 and 64 anchored in the siderails 46'and theend wall 24, respectively. Section I4 carries a kmetallic strap 66 whichis provided with a slot 68 for the reception ofthe hook 10 formed at oneend of the strap 60. Strap 66 is made secure 'by screws 12 and 'I4yanchored inthe side rail' 46 and the end wall 30, respectively. Figs. 5and y8 illustrate the lower'y latch `unitY as being rlocated at the edgemarginof .the bottom structure of the sections. The-oppositeedge marginalso carries a similar latchfunitso that the adjoining sections are`effectively latched on both sides of the boat structure.'- Since allthe latch units associated with the, bottom structure of the..boat areidentical in" construction, the description of one will 0f course applyto all. Similarly, the latch units 22 which latch the sections at theirupper parts are identical in construction.

The bottom structure of the sections I2, I4 and I6 lie in the sameplane.' Referring to Fig. 5, it will be noted that the strap 66 isoffset at 16 so as to extend over the lower face of the strap 60 whenthe sections I2 and I4 are connected. 'Ihe hook 'I0 and the slot 68 areso related as to permit the hook to be passed through the slots onlywith the end walls 24 and-30 arranged in close relation. When sopositioned, the straps 'I'he latch comprises U-shaped parts 'I8 and 80which are connected with the sections I2 and I4, re-

l spectively. The U-shaped parts 'I8 and 86 are inverted and pressedover the reinforcing slats 44.',of theirrespective sections.v Part I8 ismade se'cure'by a'bolt 82 and a screw 84. The screw 8 4is anchored inthe end wall 24 while the bolt 62 passes through the reinforcing slats44 and isprovided with a nut 86. Part 80'is slotted at 88 4for receivinga screw 90 and isy alsoslotted at 92 for the reception of a bolt 94which extends through the part for the reception of a nut 96. Part 'I8carries a pin 98 having aV head |00 arranged to be passed through theslot |02 in a strap |04 pivotally connected at |06 with a strap4|08pivotal1y connected at ||0 with the part 80. Theopening |02 is ofsuicient diameter to permit the strap |04 to be disconnected from thepin 98. Fig. 6 illustrates the latch 22 in its holding position, atwhich time the end walls 24 and 30 yare drawn into snug relation. Part80 carries an ear I2 against which the strap |08 may abut to preventpivotal action beyond the full line position illustrated. In the fullline position, Athe pivotal axis is slightly offside with respect to al?straight line intersecting the axis of the pin 98 and the pivot |06 sothat the forces effective on the latch hold the strap |08 in pressurerelation with the ear ||2. In disconnecting the sections, the strap |08is pivoted in the direction of the arrow |I4 to a degree which permitsthe end of the strap to be lifted in the clear of the pin 68, afterwhich the latch uncouples the-two sections.

In Figs. andvG, I illustrate the part 8|)Y as being provided withsurface irregularities I6 whilevthe bolt 94 includesa serrated head ||8and carries a serrated washer |20. Head II8 and the washer |20 arebrought into pressure and holding relation with the surfaceirregularities |I6 when the nut 96 is tightened so as to preventshifting of the part 80. By unloosening thenut 96, the part 80 may beshifted for taking up slack -in-the latch 22 to compensate wear or tolend slack thereto for compensating expansion of the boat parts. Thus,the latch 22 may be accurately adjusted so as to secure the properamount of pull for effectively holding the sections in connectedrelation.

To facilitate connection of the boat sections andaccurate alignmentthereof, Fig. 1 illustrates the wall 24 as carrying a pin I|9, which pinmay be bored for thelreception of a key pin |2I. End wall 30 is boredfor the reception of a metallic sleeve |22 which slidably receivesoneend .of .the pin ||9. The pin is rounded at |24 lto facilitateentrance into the sleeve |22. The wall 24.is` provided with two suchpins'. Inthe same manner, en d walls 34 and 36 are provided with pinsI|9 and sleeves |22 for aligning purposes.

In connecting the boat sections I2,` I4 and I6, the sections are raisedat their abutting ends suficientlyfar to facilitate entrance of thehooks 10 in the slots 68, after which the sections are lowered and thelatches 22 manipulated for connecting the straps |04 with the pins 98.With such connection established, the straps |08 are moved to thefull'line position of Fig. 6, which draws the upper parts of theadjoining boat sections into pressure relation.

In Figs. 1 and 2, I illustrate the end wall 24 as being provided with aseat |26 hinged to the end Wall at |26. The seat |26 is arranged to bepivoted upwardly and downwardly into parallel relation with the end wall24, but in the position of Figs. 1 and 2, the seat extends across theupper edge of the end wall 36.1.` One of the slats 54 in the section I4is cut to provide a bracing reach |30 hinged at |32 to one end of thecut slat. The lower face of the seat |26 is provided with a groove |34into which the upper end of the reach |36 may be located. Reach I 30provides an effective support for the seat so as to remove the load fromthe hinges |28.

End wall 36 of the section I6 includes a seat |36 hinged at |38 to thewall and arranged to extend across the upper edge of the end wall 34.One of the slats 54 in the section I4 is cut to provide a reach |40hinged at |42. end of the reach |40 is receivable within a recess |44 inthe lower face of the seat |36 for connecting purposes. Seat |36 may bepivoted into the section I6 to lie adjacent the end wall 36. Thus, boatseats |26 and |36 may be closely nested within their respective sectionsfor the sake of compactness, as when nesting the sections fortransportation. 'I'he upper slats 58 in the section I6 may form supportsfor the rear seat |46. The side panels 42 of this section may beprovided with cleats |48 recessed at |56 to receive the forward cornersof the seat |46. The rear edge of the seat |46 lies adjacent cleats |52,and these cleats may be provided with pivoted latches |54 arranged toswing partly over the seat so as to hold it in place. However, the seatmay be removed by swinging the latches |54 out of holding relation withthe seat and lifting its rear edge upwardly.

Fig. 9 illustrates the manner in which the corners of adjacent presswoodpieces may be tied into a unitary structure and afford additionalprotection. 'I'he side panel 42 is anchored to the rail 46 by nails |56.The panel 42 and the rail 46 are recessed slightly for the reception ofpacking |56, which is compressed when the nails |56 are driven home.Similarly, the oor 48 is attached to the rail 46 by nails |60. Rail 46and the iloor 46 are recessed for the reception of packing |62. Ametallic corner |64 may be attached to the side panel 42 and the oor l48by the nails |56 and |66. The metallic trim I 64 may extend along thebottom corners of each section as well as its upright corners, asillustrated in Fig. 5.

In a boat of this type, it is essential that it be so designed as tocarry the necessary load in addition to being readily portable and lightin weight. To increase buoyancy as well as balance of the boat whenheavily loaded, I connect two floats |66 with the stern of the boat.Figs. l1, l2 and 13 illustrate the specific relation between the floatsand the boat. The bottom surfaces |68 of the floats lie substantiallyflush with the bottom of the boat. The slats l) project below the planesof the bottom surfaces |66, which The upper affords protection for theends of the floats with respect to catching on obstructions. The oatstaper outwardly longitudinally and lie substantially in parallelrelation when the boat is being moved through the water. rl`hefloats areidentical-in construction and connected with the boat in the same mannerso that the description of one will sufce for both.

In Fig. 13, I illustrate the float |66 as being provided with hingeelements |10 and |12 iixedly connected therewith. These elementsterminate in vertical shanks |14 and |16. The oat may pivot about thealigned shanks as an axis. To the section I6 of the boat, I connecthinge members |18 and |80 for pvotally supporting the shanks |14 and|16. The members |18 and |80 are bored, as at |82 in Fig. 15, forrotatably receiving the shanks. In Fig. 15, the shank |16 is grooved at|84. pressed over the shank |16 to lie within the groove 84 between thehead |86 and the socket |90 of the hinge member I 80. With the partsconnected according to Fig. 15, the shank |16 is rotatable within thesocket |90 but is latched against accidental disconnection because ofthe element |86. The latter may be connected with a chain |62 attachedto the base plate |94 of the hinge member. The chain includes sufficientslack to permit connection and disconnection of the element. Hingemembers |18` and |80 are attached to the sidesI of the section I6 byscrews |96.

Each section |66 includes a rod |98 provided with a hook 266 forconnection with an eye 202 attached to the wall 40 of the section I6.The opposite end of each rod |08 includes a head 206, and the rod passesthrough an opening 208 in a metallic plate 2|@ pvotally connected at 2I2with the iioat |66. These floats are preferably made of sheet metalsealed to provide effective buoyancy. In Fig. 1'7, the rod |98 isdistorted at 2I4 to provide a lug cooperating with the element 2li! forrestraining the rod from endvvise movement.

Fig. l1 illustrates the oats |66 arranged for balancing purposes. To thesides of the section I6, I connect two eyes 204 for the reception of thehooks 206 to hold the floats in right angular relation to the boat. Whenin this position, the floats balance the boat in an effective manner. I6arranged in nested relation with the floats |66 nested adjacent thesection I2. The floats are shaped to fit snugly between the sections I2and i6 so as to afford a compact arrangement. Rods |66 while beingrestrained from relative longitudinal movement with respect to theelements ZIB when hooked to the eyes- 262 or 204 may be shiftedlongitudinally by rotating the rods 90 for aligning the distortions 2|4with slots 2|6. In this manner, the rods may be shifted to the positionsillustrated in Fig. 19 for the sake of compactness.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain myinvention that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adaptthe same for use under various conditions of service.

I claim:

A boat comprising detachable sections fashioned to be nested one withinthe other, each section having an end wall lying in face to facerelation with the end wall of the other section when the sectionsareassembled in operating relation, means for detachably connecting thesections, a seat, means pvotally securing one A spring element |86 maybe Fig. 19 illustrates the sections I2, I4 and over said one end walland the adjacent end wall of another section to a seating position, vandmeans cooperating with an opposite edge of said seat and a portion ofsaid other section of said boat to act as an additional support for saidseat. 5

JOSEPH TOMASSI.

